Cambridge Teacher Facing Child Porn Charges To Stay Behind Bars

CAMBRIDGE (CBS) – A Cambridge elementary school teacher charged with trading and collecting child pornography waived a detention hearing in federal court in Boston today, asking to be held voluntarily while the case against him is investigated.

In the meantime the Cambridge school district is trying to help students and parents who are feeling shock and betrayal after the arrest of Josh Wairi last week.

He’s on administrative leave from his job as a fifth grade teacher at the Graham and Parks elementary school in Cambridge.

Authorities say he not only shared explicit images of children, but also secretly videotaped children undressing in a locker room.

School officials say they have little information for parents while the case is investigated by the U.S. Attorney, but they are trying to provide support for parents and students.

“I don’t want to just tell people it’s all going to be okay, because I don’t know it’s all going to be okay,” said Superintendent Jeffrey Young, who feels the frustration of parents looking for answers.

Dr. Young says Cambridge police did a sweep of the Graham and Parks school this week but didn’t find any hidden video cameras.

“We can’t be sure of anything until the U.S. Attorney completes the investigation, but we can be sure there are no hidden recording devices,” he said.

Wairi also taught in the city of Somerville, where school officials are also meeting with parents to answer questions.

Federal prosecutors say they’re going through thousands of images trying to identify potential victims and where the videotaping may have taken place.

“Parents want to be able to say ‘I’m safe’ and that’s totally understandable,” said Dr. Young.

A judge today ordered Wairi not to have any contact with past or present students.